What services are available on the Architects Website?

Personal details can be viewed and updated in your personal area, and documents requested from OA can be obtained and printed out. In the Secretariat area you can request Generic or Specific Statements, as well as Certificates for doing work related to the profession both in Portugal and overseas. You can also fill out a Request for changing your OA membership status. In the Treasury Area you can view a balance of membership fees and other payments in your current account, and make online payments. In the Training Area you can view the schedule of training sessions to be held at regional OA Sections, sign up online and make the corresponding payment. You can also view training sessions attended over the past year and obtain participation certificates. For future architects, the Architects Website makes available online registration for Professional Apprenticeships, as part of admission to the Portuguese Ordem dos Arquitectos. This service is offered to architects from other European Union member states and those from third countries.

What do I need to register?

Select one of the following options from www.ordemdosarquitectos.pt: If you are an architect and an effective member of OA, you should register using the "Architects" field. All architects registered with OA with an assigned membership number are considered effective OA members. All effective members, regardless if their registration is active or suspended, have the right to register on the Architects Website and access the services available online. An email address is necessary for registration, along with the OA membership number, identification document and tax identification number. After registration, your access data will be sent to the email address that you used to sign up. If you are an apprentice architect registered with OA, you should register using the "Apprentice Architects" field. All candidates accepted for OA admission apprenticeships with an apprentice architect number are considered as apprentice architects. An email address is necessary for registration, along with the OA apprentice number, identification document and tax identification number. After registration, your access data will be sent to the email address that you used to sign up. If you intend to submit an OA admission application, you must register using the "Candidates" field. Before starting the application submission process, please check your framework in the Admission area. An email address and identification document are necessary for registration. After registration, your access data will be sent to the email address that you used to sign up. Identification documents are defined as being one of the following: Identity Card, Citizen Card, Passport or European Card.

What is the registration email address?

You must have an email address in order to register on the Architects Website. The email address that you provide during registration will become your official means of communication with OA. All requests made through the Architects Website will be confirmed to your registered email. Electronic communications will allow services provided by OA to architects and apprentice architects to become more efficient. If you need to change your registration email, or the email that OA will use to communicate with Architects Website users, you must select the "Personal Data" option in your personal area and proceed according to the instructions.

Is it mandatory to register on the Architects Website?

Yes. Pursuant to the principles and rules for simplifying free access to, and the exercise of service activities carried out in Portuguese territory, envisaged in Decree-Law no. 92/2010, of 26 July, Article 22, paragraph 1 of Law no. 2/2013, of 10 January, establishes that all orders, communications and notifications related to the profession organised as a professional association between the association and the professional, society of professionals or service providers, with the exception of those related to disciplinary procedures, must be made by electronic data transmission through a single service platform, accessible on the website of the respective public association. Therefore, achieving this objective means that it is mandatory for architects to register on the Architects Website. Online procedures are commonly carried out in less time, taking maximum advantage of digital communications and allowing OA to reply to requests more efficiently.

How can I get help if I need technical assistance?

The Architects Website is compatible with the following browsers:

Google Chrome

Safari

FireFox 15 or newer

Internet Explorer 10 or newer

If you require technical support, please contact OA at the following email address:

Do OA's in-person services no longer exist?

No. There is still an in-person service at the secretary offices at regional sections and branches, during the hours defined and published on the websites of the respective regional sections. The number of architects registered in Portugal has been growing exponentially over recent years and OA must effectively and primarily provide a service of excellence to its members. The Architects Website meets the real requirements of architects during the course of their professional activities, leading to the need of regular communication with OA.

Are my personal details on the Architects Website amended automatically?

Architects and apprentice architects can edit their personal data in their personal area. Any amendment to personal data is subject to validation by OA's secretary services. Therefore, it can take up to 48 hours for amendments to be validated and updated.

How can I validate a document issued by OA through the Architects Website?

All documents issued by OA through the Architects Website, specifically general or specific statements and certifications, bear a validation code at the top right. This is an alphanumeric code, comprising XX characters. At www.ordemdosarquitectos.pt, the option "Document Validation" may be used to confirm the validity of any document issued by OA through the Architects Website. All that is required is to enter the membership number and validation code.

How can I attach documents via the Architects Website?

Some services available online require the user to submit documents. In this case, the user must first put all documents into a single folder, in ZIP or RAR format, or in a single PDF. The Architects Website only allows one file/folder to be attached per act. You must keep the originals of all documents submitted through the Architects Website, in case the OA services need to verify them.

What type of documents can I obtain through the Architects Website?

Under the "Profile" option in your personal area you will find a folder entitled "Documents". This is a repository of all documents that can be requested from OA. Be they general or specific statements, certificates, membership fee collection notices, payment receipts, certificates of training given by OA, as well as statements for tax service purposes, among other declarations, may be consulted comfortably and quickly through the Architects Website.

Can I make payments through the Architects Website?

Access to certain services available online depends on the payment of fees. In these situations, you will be informed during the procedure of the amount payable and the payment options available. All procedures involving payment of a certain amount remain pending until the amount has been paid. If you do not pay the respective amount within a maximum of 48 hours, your order will be cancelled. You can view your current account of fees in your personal area, under the "Treasury" option. You can also use this option to pay fees. An ATM reference is provided for this purpose, along with bank transfer details and information about how to sign up for direct debit. You can get receipts for all the payments you make in your personal area, under the "Documents" option.

I'm still not registered with OA. Can I submit an application through the Architects Website?

Yes.

In the "Admission" area of www.ordemdosarquitectos.pt you should verify the framework for your situation. You will find a summary of procedures for each framework, as well as a list of all documentation necessary for submitting your application. Next, you should follow the instructions to register in the "Candidates" area of the Architects Website.